The A&M-Commerce football team travels to Arlington today for a game against nationally ranked Delta State. KETR will broadcast the game, starting with pre-game coverage at 4:30 p.m.
A&M-Commerce Lions vs. Delta State Statesmen
Friday • 5 p.m.
AT&T Stadium • Arlington
Records: A&M-Commerce (1-0); Delta State (1-0)
Radio: KETR 88.9 FM (Listen online at KETR.org)
Live Stats: LionAthletics.com
Twitter Updates: @Lion_Athletics
Opening Kick
A&M-Commerce makes a return trip to AT&T Stadium in Arlington for the third installment of the Lone Star Football Festival on Friday, September 13th. The Lions will have a new opponent for 2013, squaring off against 25th-ranked Delta State at 5 p.m.
Lions on the Web
Fans unable to make it to AT&T Stadium for Friday's Lone Star Football Festival showdown with the Statesmen can still keep up to date with every Lion play. KETR 88.9 FM will carry the game live with Charlie Chitwood and Brock Callaway on the call as the live stream will also be available online at KETR.org. Live stats will be available at LionAthletics.com with Twitter followers receiving updates @Lion_Athletics. No live streaming or video of the game will be available.
Scouting the Statesmen
2013: 1-0 overall, 0-0 Gulf South Conference. Ranked 25th in this week's AFCA Division II Coaches Poll
2012 Results: 3-7 overall, 1-4 Gulf South Conference.
Last Week: Defeated Mississippi Valley State 24-14.
Head Coach: Todd Cooley (Arkansas Tech, '99). First season at Delta State (1-0, 1.000)
Key Offensive Players:
• #16 Travis Champion (Jr., QB): 19-of-29 (65.5%), 246 yds., 2 TD, 2 INT
• #10 Richard Freelon (Sr., RB): 17 rushes for 84 yds. (4.9 avg.), long of 18
• #24 Timothy Foy (R-Fr., RB): 19 rushes for 74 yds. (3.9 avg.), 1 TD, long of 20
• #85 Casey Osborne (So., WR): 8 catches for 102 yds (12.8 avg.), 2 TDs, long of 29
Key Defensive Players:
• #9 Richard Nash (Jr., DB): 7 tackles (7 solo), 2.0 TFL, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 2 PD
• #47 Rory Island (Jr., LB): 7 tackles (7 solo), 2.0 TFL
• #36 Artavious Morgan (R-Jr., LB): 6 tackles (3 solo), 0.5 TFL
• #11 Brian Walker (R-Fr., DB): 6 tackles (five solo)
Synopsis: Delta State made some waves in its opening game of the season, going on the road to Itta Benna, Miss. and knocking off Division I FCS opponent Mississippi Valley State 24-14 Saturday afternoon. The Statesmen are ranked 25th in this week's poll, racking up 206 yards on the ground against the Delta Devils while throwing for 246 yards as well. Delta State enters 2013 with a new head coach in Todd Cooley, looking to rebound from a disappointing 3-7 mark in 2012.
Series Information
Friday marks the first meeting between A&M-Commerce and Delta State since the 1994 season as the two teams have split the previous four meetings. The Lions won a 17-6 decision in Commerce in 1978 before the Statesmen return the favor with a 31-19 win in Cleveland, Miss. the following season. The two teams then renewed a home-and-home series in 1993 and 1994 with the home team each notching a 19-14 decision on their respective home fields. Delta State is one of only two current Gulf South Conference teams the Lions have faced, holding a 5-1 record against West Alabama.
Lions Rank Among National Leaders
The 2013 season is still very young, but A&M-Commerce has already started to make a name for itself among the national leaders on the defensive side of the ball. The Lions rank first in the country in both sacks per game (11.0) and tackles for loss per game (23.0) as well as opposing team third down percentage after A&M-Commerce held Sul Ross State to just 1-of-19 on third downs Saturday night (0.05%). The Lions also sit third nationally in total defense (106.0 ypg) while ranking fifth in team passing efficiency defense (58.1) and seventh in scoring defense (6.0 ppg). The A&M-Commerce offense also finds itself among the national leaders, sitting ninth in scoring offense (51.0 ppg) and 13th in passing offense (382.0).
If you're going to the game
To get fans ready for the game, here are some reminders and policies to keep in mind:
Tickets for the game will be sold at the AT&T Stadium ticket office the day of the game. The A&M-Commerce Athletic Department does not have any more tickets to sell for the game. Ticket prices are $25 for adults and $10 for students (with a valid school I.D.) for a single-day pass or $40 for adults and $15 for students for an All-Festival pass, allowing access to all seven games on the weekend.
Parking for the Lone Star Football Festival is $10 per car as cash is the only form of payment that will be accepted. A&M-Commerce fans are encouraged to park in Lots 1, 2, 7 and 10 as the Lions will be the designated "home team" and will have their bench on the south side of the stadium.
A&M-Commerce will have a designated tailgating area in Lot 10, getting underway at 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon. Both the Lions Touchdown Club and the A&M-Commerce Alumni Association will have tents set up as fans are encouraged to tailgate near these two tents. Per AT&T Stadium policies, deep fryers or any oil-based cooking or frying and open flame fires of any kind are not permitted.
In an effort to enhance public safety, AT&T Stadium has modified its security policy by limiting both the size and style of bags allowed in the stadium. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to backpacks, purses, diaper bags, camera bags, fanny packs, coolers and binocular cases. Fans are able to bring in a clear tote made of plastic, vinyl or PVC that does not exceed 12" x 6" or a clear, one gallon resealable storage bag. Women may bring in small clutch purses approximately the size of a hand, no larger than 5.5" x 8.5".